Auckland Builders Betting On A “Busted Flush,” Says Union

Wanganui Chronicle, 16 February 1949, Page 5

Auckland Builders Betting On A “Busted Flush,” Says Union

AUCKLAND. Yesterday (PA).— , "Auckland builders are betting on a busted flush," said Mr D. McEwen, 1 secretary of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Carpenters’ and | Joiners’ Union, today, referring to the employers’ decision that employees must cease going slow or be dismissed. “The builders are precipitating an industrial crisis on the union claims which many builders, including a considerable number in Auckland, consider justified," Mr McEwen added. As a piece of bluff designed to frighten the carpenters oh go Siow, the master builders’ decision was bound to fail, he said. * The builders' decision would be discussed by union job delegates at the Trades Hall tomorrow night, but it was plain to anyone who knew the building industry that such a decision could never be carried out, If some employers sacked their carpenters on Thursday the union antlci-

i pated no trouble in finding alternative work at 4s an hour without reduction |in travelling time. Since the stopwork meeting numerous builders had been offering employment on the union’s conditions. As far as his union was concerned the position seemed to be one for the carpenters themselves- said Mr F. Craig, secretary of the New Zealand Timber Workers’ Union today. “While we are not commenting on their move,” he added, “it is our policy to do the best we can in conciliation, and if we can’t succeed to go to the Arbitration Court. Mr Craig said he did not consider workers in the mills would b e affected, unless there was a long hold-up among the carpenters. Whether painters will support the carpenters in their claims had not yet been discussed. Mr F. J. S- Williams, secretary of the Auckland union- said today. It would not be long before a meeting was held.